The Year In Review

Do you remember my list from last year of 57 things I wanted to accomplish by the time I turned 57? Well, tomorrow is the day!  And I haven't done nearly as much as I had hoped.  Here's a rundown of what I did manage to accomplish.

1.  Take a family photo. 

2.  Release 57 pounds. No but I'm trying again for 2016.

3.  Grow pumpkins.  Maybe next year.

4.  Grow sunflowers.  Also, maybe next year.

5.  Force bulbs for winter.  I"ve got the kit - just need to get them planted!

6.  Empty the 'bin of shame.'  - I haven't even made a dent in this - just piled more stuff on top.  :)

7.  Walk 10,000 steps daily. - Some days yes, most days no.  Working on trying to get a 1/2 hour a day.

8.  Use the one-in-one-out rule for new purchases and gifts. - I'm getting pretty good at this but still need work.

9.  Reduce stitching stash.

10.  Use my planner daily.  - Sometimes.

11.  Plan tomorrow tonight. - Sometimes.

12.  Daily blog post. - No way - I'll try harder for next year.

13.  Take a knitting class. - Maybe in 2016.

14.  Get bloodwork done.

15.  Start playing my flute. - I decided that this was something I really didn't want to do and sold my flute.

16.  Deal with the mail daily.

17.  Develop a cleaning routine.

18.  Drink 8 cups of water daily. - Some days yes - others no.

19.  Develop an after work routine. - Still a work in progress.

20.  Sleep 8 hours a night. -Umm this probably won't happen.  I try but sleep is very elusive these days.

21,  Read Simple Abundance daily.

22.  Do 6 No Spend months. - Nope

23.  Take a trip with the Captain.

24.  Continue my gratitude practice.  - Off and on - now back on.

25.  Try 57 new recipes. - I think I got about 20.

26.  Take one stitching class.  

27.  Finish 57 stitching projects. - 54 but that includes all the 48 pieces of Fun Every Day which I counted as individual projects.

28.  Throw out 3 things every day. - Nope - trying again.

29.  Take off 10 Fridays in the summer. - I think I took 6.

30.  Read/listen to 57 books. - I'm working on no. 73!

31.  Take a dance class. - Nope.

32.  Take a yoga class. - Nope.  Will need modification at any rate due to my knees.

33.  Stitch every day. - Most days.

34.  Journal daily.

35.  Get my mammogram.

36.  Make my love list.

37.  Make my success notebook. - Nope

38.  Make my inspiration book. - Nope

39.  Finish decorating the stitching room.

40.  Do garden and plants in the front of the house. - Maybe next year.

41.  Do bank garden in front of the house. - Maybe next year.

42.  Eat when hungry 90% of the time. - If only.  This is a hard one.  I am a huge stress and social eater.  I'll keep working on it.

43.  Stop eating when satisfied 90% of the time. - Getting better at this one.  Maybe hit it about 70% of the time.  A huge improvement.

44.  Find and use a blog planner. - This can come off the list.  I think blog planners are for those that have monetized their blogs.  That's not me.

45.  Do a 5 year journal.

46.  Visit Florida.

47.  Visit Neverending Farm. - Maybe this winter.

48.  Daily bible study. - Sadly, no.  I did manage a couple of months.

49. Go to Moravian Book Shop. - Nope.

50.  Attend 1 stitching retreat.

51.  Save $1,000.

52.  Finish hexagon quilt. - Nope.

53.  Finish flag quilt. - Nope.

54.  Organize recipes. - Haven't decided on the 'best' way to do this.  A huge procrastinating tool for me.

55.  Develop a menu plan.  - Some weeks but not all.

56.  Track personal expenses. - Still working on this one.

57.  Attend Cuzfest.

I don't have plans to attempt another list like this next year. But I still have time to change my mind - only a couple of hours

Thanks for stopping by.

Keep on Stitching!

Wednesday

I found this post while doing my blog reading today.  Priscilla and Cathy Haberman have collaborated to do Seasons in Chalk and they will be published in Just Cross Stitch.  The link will take you to Priscilla's site to get a peek at winter.  I'm gonna get a subscription to Just Cross Stitch so I don't miss a season.

And I want to share a link to a SAL that Ma, Herself has organized for 2016.  She has purchased 10 of the Crazy Socks charts from Rosewood Manor.  Ma, Herself is offering to give away nine of the charts - one per person - if you want to stitch it but cannot afford the chart.  You can read more about it here.  I'm in - are you?  I bought my chart when I first became aware of the story behind it. Now I'm trying to figure out how large or small I want it to be.  I'm thinking I might like to stitch it on burlap, of all things, but need to investigate that a bit before I commit.  Or maybe I'll stitch it over one so that it's itty bitty.  I've got a couple of weeks to make up my mind.  Stay tuned.  That fun will begin on January 1.

Now a little finishing for today.

A Year in Chalk: August by Hands On Design

I haven't made much progress on On Redware Road.  I hope to stitch an hour or so tonight and hope to have some noticeable progress to share with you tomorrow.

I'm off to finish up my chores for today so I can play with my needle and thread.

Keep on Stitching!

Tuesday

Another work day today and this was a full one.  I'm tired again tonight but I think that is to be expected.

I have made a little progress on On Redware Road.  I have almost completed the roof.  I may go back and complete the flower on the left so that I can begin the bottom border.

And I finished the next piece in A Year in Chalk - this one is for July.  

A Year in Chalk: July by Hands on Design

Only a few more of these to finish and then I think I'm moving to some things that require a sewing machine or some hand finishing.  I have lots of choices from the 'bin of shame' and the area surrounding it. 

Thanks for stopping by.

Keep on Stitching!

Monday

It was back to work for me today and then physical therapy.  I am one tired girl tonight.  I do want to share my finish.

A Year in Chalk:  June by Hands On Design

Thanks for stopping by.

Keep on Stitching!

Sofa Sunday, Kind of

My intent was to spend most of the day in my little stitchy nest stitching.  And I did get in a few hours that were interrupted by cleaning, laundry, and the all important exercising.  I have  a few things to show.

First, I put the last stitches in Winter Solstice - Serenity by Hands On Design and realized when I went to press it that I had neglected to stitch the bottom border - the part that looks like wool pennies. The chart did come with wool pennies but I opted not to use those and to stitch them instead.

And a finish is followed by a new project or a WIP.  Today I chose a new project - On Redware Road by The Scarlett House.  This was the latest kit sent by Dyeing to Stitch for the Colonial Gatherings Club.  I'm really liking this one.  It came with a bright green - like a yellowish green chenille to use along the edge in the finishing.

And my meager start.  But it's a start nonetheless.  Sometimes the hardest part is placing those first few stitches and then the rest flies right along.  Here's hoping.

And as has been tradition for the last few days I have a finish finish to show.   A Year in Chalk: May by Hands On Design.

That's about it for today.  I off to give myself a manicure and put in a few more stitches before I turn in for the night.

Keep on Stitching!

Busy Saturday

Hi!  How was your day?  Did you get lots of holiday preparations underway?  Me, neither.  I thought about it and even listened to Christmas music at work.  But somehow when I got home it all ended.  Maybe tomorrow.

I did work today.   Only five hours.  I thought it would be more like two but I got on a roll and am ready to return to the office on Monday.  Which means that all the stuff I brought home was taken back and put back in it's proper place today.  That took longer than I thought but it's good to know I can hit the ground running on Monday.

I had a finish last night and one for tonight.

A Year in Chalk: March by Hands On Design

A Year in Chalk:  April by Hands On Design

Today I was thinking I might like to take these into work and keep them on my desk.  I'm going to mull that over a bit more.

I'm off to finish my last few tasks for today and hopefully finish stitching Winter Solstice - Serenity.

Keep on Stitching!

Friday the Fourth

I'm ready for the weekend and so glad that it is Friday!  Although I do have to work tomorrow for a bit, it won't be a full day.  And that should leave me some time to stitch on this and hopefully finish it up.

Winter Solstice - Serenity by Hands On Design

I finished this guy last night -

A Year in Chalk: February by Hand on Design

And here are pictures of the calendars from today.

Fun Every Day by Sam Sarah Designs

Advent Calendar from Cross Stitch and Country Crafts

I think that all for today.  Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful weekend.

Keep on Stitching!